Trump Endorses Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin Governor Race

Endorsement solidifies Tiffany's front-runner status in GOP primary, but Democrats aim to tie him to Trump's unpopular agenda

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:07pm

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President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin's open race for governor, solidifying the congressman's front-runner status in the Republican primary in the battleground state. However, Democrats are attempting to tie Tiffany to unpopular elements of Trump's agenda.

Why it matters

Trump's endorsement gives Tiffany a significant boost in the Republican primary, but it also provides Democrats an opportunity to paint Tiffany as too closely aligned with the former president's controversial policies. The Wisconsin governor's race is an important contest in a key swing state.

The details

Tiffany has been a fierce Trump loyalist since being elected to Congress in 2020. Prior to that, he served in the Wisconsin Legislature where he was a firm backer of Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Tiffany faces Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann in the August primary. Democrats have criticized Tiffany for 'proudly voting in lockstep for Washington Republicans' expensive and unpopular agenda.'

  • Trump announced the endorsement in a social media post on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The Wisconsin Republican primary is scheduled for August 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has endorsed Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the Wisconsin governor's race.

Tom Tiffany

A U.S. Representative from Wisconsin who is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for governor after receiving Trump's endorsement.

Josh Schoemann

The Washington County Executive who is running against Tiffany in the Republican primary for Wisconsin governor.

Tony Evers

The current Democratic governor of Wisconsin who has decided not to seek a third term, leaving the race open.

Mandela Barnes

The former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin who is running as a Democrat for governor.

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What they’re saying

“Tiffany has proudly voted in lockstep for Washington Republicans' expensive and unpopular agenda that has hurt families, farmers, and small businesses across Wisconsin.”

— Izzi Levy, Democratic Governors Association spokesperson (ksgf.com)

“I will make Wisconsin great again by lowering utility rates and property taxes, cutting burdensome red tape, rooting out waste and fraud, and restoring common-sense leadership to Madison.”

— Tom Tiffany, U.S. Representative (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Wisconsin Republican primary is scheduled for August 2026, where Tiffany will face off against Schoemann for the nomination.

The takeaway

Trump's endorsement of Tiffany solidifies the congressman's status as the front-runner in the Republican primary, but it also provides Democrats an opportunity to tie Tiffany to the former president's unpopular policies. The Wisconsin governor's race is a crucial contest in a key swing state, and the outcome could have significant implications for the political landscape in the Midwest.